I skipped Road Trip Wednesday this week because my answer to their question (What was the best book you read in January?) felt a little boring, and the same as at least half the other writers out there in the blogosphere – it was “The Fault In Our Stars” by John Green, reviewed here.
Today’s Paper Hangover Friday Five’s question: What are the FIVE novels you wish you had written?
This was a really tough one, but I’ll give it a shot.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – The obvious choice. JK Rowling is amazingly talented, amazingly rich, and amazing beautiful. She has the best of every world, and she deserves it for bringing us the brilliant HP universe.
The Hunger Games – This dystopian YA book by Suzanne Collins gleams with writing talent. It’s unputdownable.
The Catcher in the Rye – THE VOICE. What I would give to be able to write a story with this good a voice. Holden Caulfield is just addictive.
American Gods – I just wish I had a fragment of Neil Gaiman’s knowledge. He knows so much about mythology, and you can tell when reading this book.
The Wee Free Men – Terry Pratchett is a writer like no other, with the sharpest comedic voice out there and one of the greatest fantasy worlds you can find. And this book has a wonderful combination of his humor, his imagination, and bonus Scottishness.
A few others I’d love to have written: Garth Nix’s “Sabriel”, Phillip Pullman’s “The Subtle Knife”, Anthony Burgess’ “A Clockwork Orange”. I had a lot of trouble narrowing this challenge down.
Great choices! I thought about Harry Potter, but I think I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. I loved reading it and I wouldn’t want to change that experience.
The Hunger Games is amazing! Definitely would love to write that! :)
That’s a brilliant point, Krista. Harry Potter is a huge part of growing up for me, and I wouldn’t have had that without JK.
Oooh, I forgot all about Catcher! Great choice. The voice, indeed.
Thanks!
My sister has told me about The Wee Free Men on multiple occasions. I apparently need to read it. Also, HP (of course) and Sabriel are some of my favorites as well.
Here’s our Friday Fives from The Feather and the Rose.
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THE COLOUR OF MAGIC is another I considered for the list, largely because of Pratchett’s world-building. So many to choose from. But these are all so well done by the people who did write them, I don’t think I’d have done near as good a job.
I definitely agree with Harry Potter and the Hunger Games. Such great books! I’d love to have written His Dark Materials or the Bartimaeus Trilogy :).